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The Struggling Scientists: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Suzanne and Jayron
Welcome everyone to the Struggling Scientists Podcast. This is a podcast by Scientists, for Scientists. But also for aspiring Scientists, anyone science adjacent, and perhaps even hobbyists. Together we will be trying to bring back the fun in science. We all know the scientific field can be difficult and hard at times and it is easy to lose sight of our passion and enthusiasm. In this podcast, we will talk about Science and the people behind Science. Website: www.thestrugglingscientists.com
Latest Episodes
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- 3 weeks ago17 min
Why You Struggle to Do Deep Work During Your PhD and how to fix your focus
Learn how to apply the core ideas from Deep Work by Cal Newport to your life as a PhD student, postdoc, or early-career researcher.In this episode, we break down what Deep Work actually is, why shallow work can take over your best energy, and how to use the four Deep Work methods: monastic, bimodal, rhythmic, and journalistic.If you want to protect more focused time for writing, reading, analysis, or research thinking, this episode will help you choose the Deep Work method that fits your academic life best.🎓 About our channelWe are The Struggling Scientists. We make honest videos about PhD life, academia, and how to make your research journey a little bit easier.If that sounds helpful, consider subscribing.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We’ve created a free AI prompt to help you apply the Deep Work methods to your own research:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/deepwork-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We also created a full AI Tools for Academics Masterclass, where we walk through how to use AI ethically and effectively throughout the research process:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/MasterclassAI---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⏰ TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:22 What is Deep work03:37 Four methods of Deep work04:26 Monastic method06:22 Bimodal method08:18 Rhythmic method10:22 Journalistic method13:43 Conclusion15:08 AI prompt for Deep work17:02 Final thoughts📱 Follow us for more contenthttps://thestrugglingscientists.com/newsletterhttps://www.instagram.com/thestrugglingscientistspodcast/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-struggling-scientists-podcast/https://bsky.app/profile/thestrugglings4.bsky.socialhttps://www.tiktok.com/@struggling.scientistshttps://www.threads.com/@thestrugglingscientistspodcast#academia #phdlife #research #scientificresearch #gradschool #academiclife #deepworkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- May 7, 20268 min
The Worst AI Mistakes in Published Research
AI is already being used in academic research, and some of it is going very wrong.In this video, we break down real cases where the misuse of AI led to serious problems in published scientific papers. This includes fake references, copy pasted AI text, and completely incorrect AI generated figures that somehow made it through peer review.From a hospital librarian discovering that most references in a paper did not even exist, to a viral paper with biologically impossible AI images, these examples highlight a growing issue in modern science.But this is not just about researchers using AI incorrectly. It also raises bigger questions about peer review, journal responsibility, and how these mistakes are slipping through the system.________________________________________________________________👉 We are The Struggling Scientists, a channel for all struggling scientists out there.We share honest experiences, practical advice, and real stories to help make your life in academia just a little bit less of a struggle.🎓 Want to learn how to use AI properly in your research?We created a full AI for Academics Masterclass where we show you how to use AI tools ethically and effectively, without risking your work or credibility:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/MasterclassAI__________________________________________________________________⏰ TIME STAMPS00:00 AI is already breaking research00:50 Copy pasted ChatGPT in a published paper02:55Fake references discovered by a librarian04:40 AI generated figures that make no sense6:55 What this means for science7:50 Final thoughts📱 Follow us for more contenthttps://thestrugglingscientists.com/newsletterhttps://www.instagram.com/thestrugglingscientistspodcast/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-struggling-scientists-podcast/https://bsky.app/profile/thestrugglings4.bsky.socialhttps://www.tiktok.com/@struggling.scientistshttps://www.threads.com/@thestrugglingscientistspodcast#academia #phdlife #research #ai #chatgpt #scientificresearch #gradschool #academiclife #researchintegrityAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Apr 23, 202617 min
Questions That Destroyed Years of Research (Academia Stories)
Academia can go wrong… very quickly.In this episode of Academic Tea, we react to real stories from researchers where a single question at a conference, lab meeting, or thesis defense completely changed — or even destroyed — someone’s research.From missing control variables… to flawed assumptions… to realizing your entire project might not be based on the right idea — these are the kinds of moments every scientist secretly fears.If you’ve ever presented your work, worked on a PhD, or sat through a brutal Q&A session… you’ll definitely recognize some of these.💬 Have you ever had a question completely throw you off during a presentation or meeting?Let us know in the comments — we might feature your story in a future episode!☕ Academic Tea is our series where we react to real academic stories — the good, the bad, and the painfully relatable.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We’re The Struggling Scientists — a channel for all struggling scientists out there.We share honest experiences, practical advice, and real stories to help make your life in academia just a little bit less of a struggle.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⏰ TIME STAMPS00:00 When one question destroys your research00:50 The wrong prey species experiment04:10 The variable mistake08:15 “Protein X isn’t even expressed”10:40 21,500 papers already exist…13:50 The missing control variable17:00 Final thoughts------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🎓 Want to use AI tools in your research (ethically and effectively)?Check out our full AI Tools for Academics Masterclass:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/MasterclassAI---------------------------------------------------------------------------------📱 Follow us for more content!#academia #phdlife #research #gradschool #scientist #academiclife #phdstruggles #researchlife #academictwitterAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Apr 2, 20269 min
Episode 87: How to Actually Focus During Your PhD (Without Burning Out)
Most PhD students don’t struggle with focus because they’re lazy.They struggle because their attention is constantly being pulled in ten different directions.In this episode, we break down a simple framework to help you actually focus again — without burning out or relying on motivation.If you’ve been feeling scattered, stuck, or mentally drained, this will help you lock back in.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🎓 About our channelWe are The Struggling Scientists. We make honest videos about PhD life, academia, and how to make your research journey a little bit easier.If that sounds helpful, consider subscribing.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We’ve created a free AI prompt to help you apply the LOCK framework to your own PhD:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/lock-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We also created a full AI Tools for Academics Masterclass, where we walk through how to use AI ethically and effectively throughout the research process:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/MasterclassAI---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⏰ TIMESTAMPS00:00 Why You Can’t Focus01:30 The LOCK Framework02:21 Limit the Horizon04:00 Output Over Effort05:32 Cut Decisions07:18 Know What You’re Avoiding09:13 How to Lock InAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Mar 20, 20269 min
Episode 86: What a Dutch PhD Defense is Actually Like
Did you know that in the Netherlands, by the time you defend your PhD… you’ve already passed?Unlike in many other countries, the Dutch PhD defense is usually not the final exam that determines whether you get your degree. Your thesis has already been approved, failing is extremely rare, and the defense itself feels more like a formal and historic ceremony than an exam.In this video, I take you behind the scenes of my own Dutch PhD defense, exactly one year after it happened. I explain:Why the Dutch system is so differentWhat “Hora Est” meansWhy you have to defend in DutchThe historic role of paranymphsWhat the 45 minutes of questioning are really likeAnd how it felt to finally become DoctorIf you’re working toward your own PhD defense, curious about academic traditions in different countries, or simply wondering what a Dutch PhD ceremony looks like, this video is for you.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🎓 About our channelWe are The Struggling Scientists. We make honest videos about PhD life, academia, and how to make your research journey a little bit easier.If that sounds helpful, consider subscribing.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We also created a full AI Tools for Academics Masterclass, where we walk through how to use AI ethically and effectively throughout the research process:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/MasterclassAI---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⏰ TIME STAMPS00:00 You’ve Already Passed? (How the Dutch System Works)01:08 Strict PhD Requirements in the Netherlands04:08 What Defense Day Actually Looks Like05:19 Historic Traditions, Dutch Language & Paranymphs06:43 The 45 Minutes of Questioning07:32 Hora Est & Becoming Doctor08:40 One Year Later Reflection---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Mar 5, 202625 min
Episode 85: Academia Stories That Are Almost Too Awkward to Be Real
Academia can get weird fast. In this episode of Academic Tea, we react to real Reddit stories about awkward academic interviews, PhD supervisor dilemmas, and thesis mistakes that every researcher will recognize.Would you like your story to be (anonymously) featured in a future episode?Submit your story here:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/stories/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We also created a full AI Tools for Academics Masterclass, where we walk through how to use AI ethically and effectively throughout the research process:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/MasterclassAI---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⏰ TIME STAMPS00:00 Welcome to Academic Tea00:30 AI interview disaster06:40 AI tools mention07:25 PhD supervisor red flag?20:50 Thesis mistakes after submission25:10 Final thoughts---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Topics covered in this video:PhD life, academic interviews, PhD supervision, academia struggles, Reddit stories, research life, thesis writing mistakes, graduate school experiences.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Feb 18, 202612 min
Episode 84: 7 Tips to nail your PhD interview with a future supervisor!
Got a PhD interview coming up?This isn’t just another job interview, it’s the start of a 4+ year research partnership. In this video, we share 7 essential PhD interview tips that most applicants overlook. From your first email to the toughest interview questions.If you want to stand out, impress your future supervisor, and feel confident walking into your graduate school interview, this is for you.🎓 Your PhD acceptance starts before you step into the room.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👉 We also created a full AI Tools for Academics Masterclass, where we walk through how to use AI ethically and effectively throughout the research process:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/MasterclassAI---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⏰ TIME STAMPS0:00 - Introduction: Why PhD Interviews Are Different1:06 - The First Impression Most Applicants Get Wrong5:45 - What You Must Know Before You Walk In6:27 - The Question You Will Be Asked7:20 - Don’t Forget This Crucial Step9:37 - The Trait Supervisors Secretly Look For10:19 - The Mistake That Can Cost You the Position11:23 - How to Answer Like a Future Scientist12:21 - Final Advice & Good LuckAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Oct 22, 202438 min
Episode 83: PhD's Worst Fears: How to Avoid These Grad School Disasters
In this special Halloween episode, we dive into the scariest real-life PhD horror stories submitted by our listeners. From crashed software hours before a big deadline to lab disasters and terrifyingly toxic supervisors, these tales of PhD struggles will leave you on the edge of your seat. We’ll share our thoughts and advice on how to navigate these grad school nightmares—so you don’t have to face them alone. Tune in to hear the stories, the fears, and, most importantly, how to avoid these grad school disasters!Will you survive the PhD horror? Find out now!🤩Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss new episodes like this one: https://www.youtube.com/@thestrugglingscientists🤖Want to find our favorite AI tools for PhDs and researchers? Look no further 👇https://mtr.bio/Tools🔴Find your favorite science shirt, stickers, or coffee mugs here:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/webshop/📰Get our FREE (AI) Tools guide 🤖 by subscribing to our FREE newsletter. https://thestrugglingscientists.com/newsletter👍Follow us for more fun and interesting memes, videos, and threads guaranteed to improve your PhD experience here: Twitter: https://x.com/TheStrugglingS4Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrugglingscientistspodcast/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thestrugglingscientistspodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-struggling-scientists-podcast/?viewAsMember=trueInterested in collaborating with us ? Get in touch 👇https://thestrugglingscientists.com/sponsors/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
About The Struggling Scientists
Welcome everyone to the Struggling Scientists Podcast. This is a podcast by Scientists, for Scientists. But also for aspiring Scientists, anyone science adjacent, and perhaps even hobbyists. Together we will be trying to bring back the fun in science. We all know the scientific field can be difficult and hard at times and it is easy to lose sight of our passion and enthusiasm. In this podcast, we will talk about Science and the people behind Science. Website: www.thestrugglingscientists.com
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